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Hurricanes beat Thrashers in shootout

Carolina Hurricanes right wing Erik Cole (26) and Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom (39) chase the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ATLANTA - Cam Ward stopped 45 shots and the Carolina Hurricanes earned their second straight comeback win, beating the Atlanta Thrashers, 3-2, on Sergei Samsonov's decisive shot in the third round of a shootout Thursday night.

One night after Ward was pulled after giving up three early goals before Carolina's comeback for a 4-3 win at Florida, the Hurricanes again played from behind after trailing 2-0 through two periods. This time, Ward remained in net for the win as Brandon Sutter and Eric Staal had third-period goals.

The Thrashers lost their second straight - both in shootouts - and were stopped in their bid to pull even with Washington for the lead in the tight Southeast Division.

Chris Mason stopped 27 shots for Atlanta.

ISLANDERS 3, DUCKS 2

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - P.A. Parenteau, Blake Comeau and Matt Moulson scored in a 99-second span and the New York Islanders won for only the second time in 22 games, beating the Anaheim Ducks.

Rick DiPietro stopped 30 shots for the Islanders. DiPietro has both wins for New York in the last 22 games.

Joffrey Lupul and Jason Blake scored for the Ducks.

CANADIENS 4, BRUINS 3

MONTREAL - Max Pacioretty had a goal and an assist and Scott Gomez also had two points as the Montreal Canadiens ended a three-game losing streak with a win over the Boston Bruins.